Northern Idaho Teams Faced Off in Mars Rover Challenge

Tuesday, May 17 2011

MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho elementary school student teams went head to head at the North Idaho TECH: Mars Rover Challenge in Moscow on April 29. After competing in the seven categories of competition, it was the 4 Marsketteers from Genesee School in Genesee who took first place. In second place was the A Team, from Leadore School in Leadore. Taking home third place was the Mega Minds, also a team from Leadore School.

To place at Idaho TECH, students had to design a motorized Mars rover out of LEGOs that could maneuver between obstacles, climb steep hills and pick up small objects, among other things. Almost 200 students competed in the competitions this year.

Students begin to construct their rovers in January each year. They use motors and pneumatic systems to make the rovers move, and pick objects up with a mechanized arm or a scoop. Idaho TECH is a program for fourth, fifth and sixth grade students held each year by the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium. The goal of the program is to provide a hands-on science and engineering opportunity for Idaho students.

Poster Presentation
The Cascading Comets from Cascade Elementary in Cascade

Notebook
The Platypus Penguins from Pluto from Spirit Lake Elementary in Spirit Lake

Speed
The Rockin’ Raspberry Rovers from St. Edwards School in Twin Falls

Rock
The 4 Marsketteers from Genesee School in Genesee

Hill Climb
The 4 Marsketeers from Genesee School in Genesee

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About the NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium
The NASA Idaho Space Grant Consortium was established in 1991 as part of the NASA National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program. The ISGC comprises 22 institutions including all colleges and universities in the state, science centers and museums, science organizations, state departments, industry representatives, a state park, and a national monument.
Media Contacts: Becky Highfill, Program Coordinator, (208) 885-4934,
bhighfil@uidaho.edu; Brittany Harding, Communications Assistant, (208)
885-6030, nasacomm@uidaho.edu. Or on the web at http://isgc.uidaho.edu.

About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.